rethinking wellness
After 20+ years studying psychology, yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and sound therapies - my health philosophy has moved beyond commercialized ‘wellness.’ Although I still believe that a resilient and stable nervous system is critical for creating better health outcomes - it is not viable for health to be a personal quest. Our experience of health depends on many external conditions such as living in safe, affordable housing, and access to food and medical care. Holistic therapies are not a substitute for those things, but an adjunct and a support during times of stability and in crisis. As we suffer the effects of late stage capitalism, climate change, pandemics, and natural disasters - it is time to reconsider what it means to be truly ‘well’.
As we are all having a human experience, most of us will encounter a full range of emotions and conditions. We are not all born to some gold standard of health, and are all influenced by inherited traits, life experiences, and our zip codes. Commercialized wellness holds the view that health, longevity, and the avoidance of aging/disease can be obtained through specific practices by the individual. How well has this been working?
My private practice and group offerings through DayDream Collaborative Clinic all serve one mission - to remember that there is no self care without community care.
Contact
➤ LOCATION
544 Main Street #2
Beacon, NY 12508
☎ CONTACT
masha@riveralchemy.com
(845) 288-1861
types of care provided
acupuncture
The NIH and WHO list many health conditions that are improved by acupuncture, and that is why many seek care.
However, there is a limit to what can be studied in controlled trials. The very nature of Traditional East Asian Medicine is to view the individual from a holistic lens, and customize each treatment to the moment and season. This is difficult to standardize and study.
Regular acupuncture brings balance and resiliency to the nervous system. This improves the overall experience of being alive, and many conditions respond well to that.
soUnd therapies
My personal experience of healing with sound therapies began when I was pregnant with my first child in 2002. That experience of harmonizing myself with bronze bowls and bells led to a path of self guided study.
The use of tuning forks in conjuntion with acupuncture was introduced to me by Mikio Sankey before I even completed my formal training. Sound has been a part of every session I have offered since 2009. My current studies continue with amazing teachers such as Samer Ghadry and John Beaulieu.
herbal medicine
A fascination with healing plants began with my first experience of making dandelion crowns, and this kinship continues to evolve.
The herbs recommended in session are mostly local herbs from the North American and European herbal wisdom tradition. There are powerful medicines growing in our gardens and in the wild forgotten places! We gain strength through relationship with the plants growing in our bioregion, particularly when we are acclimating ourselves to seasonal change.
The gentlest path is often in a cup of tea or a flower essence, and we will start with the gentlest path first.
mentorship
After many cups of tea with many lovely practitioners asking for support and advice, I have formalized the mentorship process to offer my fullest attention and support while maintaining my energetic boundaries.
Check out the medicine folk page for a full description of our year long program at DayDream.
1:1 mentorship is a great option if you are a practitioner that is looking for support starting up or transitioning your practice to feel more aligned with your values.
aromatherapy
5 Element Aromatherapy is a lens through which scents are viewed as allies to align ourselves with the seasons of the earth, and with our own cycles.
Through interaction with scent, we are able to balance the Wood, the Earth, the Fire, the Metal, and the Water. When encountering a season or an experience, we ask: What is my intention and how can aromatherapy support that?
When working with essential oils, it is important to consider sustainability and sourcing. Hydrosols, infused oils, and herbal steams are a potent way to enjoy aromatherapy with conservation in mind.
classes + Workshops
I’m always teaching something because I love what I do. As a yoga instructor, my specialized training includes kids yoga, restorative, yin, yoga nidra, and tantric meditation practices.
If there is a technique in my toolbox that you can safely do at home - I’ve probably taught a class on it. Some favorites over the years: seasonal aromatherapy, herbal medicine basics, cupping, moxa, ear seeds, candle magic, restorative + yoga nidra, and seasonal celebrations.
“I want to stand by the river in my finest dress. I want to sing, strong and hard, and stomp my feet with a hundred others so that the waters hum with our happiness. I want to dance for the renewal of the world.”
Let's Chat.
Use the form below to contact me with any questions about working together.